Fasting

A bedouin with unkempt hair came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O
Allah's Apostle! Inform me what Allah has made compulsory for me as
regards the prayers." He replied: "You have to offer perfectly the
five compulsory prayers in a day and night (24 hours), unless you want
to pray Nawafil." The bedouin further asked, "Inform me what Allah has
made compulsory for me as regards fasting." He replied, "You have to
fast during the whole month of Ramadan, unless you want to fast more
as Nawafil." The bedouin further asked, "Tell me how much Zakat Allah
has enjoined on me." Thus, Allah's Apostle informed him about all the
rules (i.e. fundamentals) of Islam. The bedouin then said, "By Him Who
has honored you, I will neither perform any Nawafil nor will I
decrease what Allah has enjoined on me. Allah's Apostle said, "If he
is saying the truth, he will succeed (or he will be granted
Paradise)."

The Prophet observed the fast on the 10th of Muharram ('Ashura), and
ordered (Muslims) to fast on that day, but when the fasting of the
month of Ramadan was prescribed, the fasting of the 'Ashura' was
abandoned. 'Abdullah did not use to fast on that day unless it
coincided with his routine fasting by chance.

(The tribe of) Quraish used to fast on the day of Ashura' in the
Pre-lslamic period, and then Allah's Apostle ordered (Muslims) to fast
on it till the fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed;
whereupon the Prophet said, "He who wants to fast (on 'Ashura') may
fast, and he who does not want to fast may not fast."

Allah's Apostle said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter).
So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his
wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody
fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am
fasting." The Prophet added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the
smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the
sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting
person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The
fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the
reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."

Umar asked the people, "Who remembers the narration of the Prophet
about the affliction?" Hudhaifa said, "I heard the Prophet saying,
'The affliction of a person in his property, family and neighbors is
expiated by his prayers, fasting, and giving in charity." 'Umar said,
"I do not ask about that, but I ask about those afflictions which will
spread like the waves of the sea." Hudhaifa replied, "There is a
closed gate in front of those afflictions." 'Umar asked, "Will that
gate be opened or broken?" He replied, "It will be broken." 'Umar
said, "Then the gate will not be closed again till the Day of
Resurrection." We said to Masruq, "Would you ask Hudhaifa whether
'Umar knew what that gate symbolized?" He asked him and he replied "He
('Umar) knew it as one knows that there will be night before tomorrow,
morning.

The Prophet said, "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and
those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of
Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be
said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' They will get up,
and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate
will be closed and nobody will enter through it."

Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever gives two kinds (of things or property)
in charity for Allah's Cause, will be called from the gates of
Paradise and will be addressed, 'O slaves of Allah! Here is
prosperity.' So, whoever was amongst the people who used to offer
their prayers, will be called from the gate of the prayer; and whoever
was amongst the people who used to participate in Jihad, will be
called from the gate of Jihad; and whoever was amongst those who used
to observe fasts, will be called from the gate of Ar-Raiyan; whoever
was amongst those who used to give in charity, will be called from the
gate of charity." Abu Bakr said, "Let my parents be sacrificed for
you, O Allah's Apostle! No distress or need will befall him who will
be called from those gates. Will there be any one who will be called
from all these gates?" The Prophet replied, "Yes, and I hope you will
be one of them."

Narrated Ibn Umar: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "When you see the
crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see
the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky
is overcast (and you can't see It) then regard the crescent (month) of
Ramadan (as of 30 days)".

The Prophet said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr
out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his
previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of
Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then
all his previous sins will be forgiven."

The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to
be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and
Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the
month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur'an to Gabriel, and when
Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which
causes rain and welfare).

Allah's Apostle said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons
(people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give
the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire
and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid
sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should
fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in
Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth
of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of
musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time
of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his
Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."

Narrated 'Alqama: While I was walking with 'Abdullah he said, "We
were in the company of the Prophet and he said, 'He who can afford to
marry should marry, because it will help him refrain from looking at
other women, and save his private parts from looking at other women,
and save his private parts from committing illegal sexual relation; and he
who cannot afford to marry is advised to fast, as fasting will diminish his
sexual power."

Allah's Apostle mentioned Ramadan and said, "Do not fast unless you
see the crescent (of Ramadan), and do not give up fasting till you see
the crescent (of Shawwal), but if the sky is overcast (if you cannot
see it), then act on estimation (i.e. count Sha'ban as 30 days)."

The Prophet or Abu-l-Qasim said, "Start fasting on seeing the crescent
(of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing the crescent (of Shawwal),
and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it), complete thirty
days of Sha'ban."

The Prophet vowed to keep aloof from his wives for a period of one
month, and after the completion of 29 days he went either in the
morning or in the afternoon to his wives. Someone said to him "You
vowed that you would not go to your wives for one month." He replied,
"The month is of 29 days."

Allah's Apostle vowed to keep aloof from his wives for one month, and
he had dislocation of his leg. So, he stayed in a Mashruba for 29
nights and then came down. Some people said, "O Allah's Apostle! You
vowed to stay aloof for one month," He replied, "The month is of 29
days."

The Prophet said, "None of you should fast a day or two before the
month of Ramadan unless he has the habit of fasting (Nawafil) (and if
his fasting coincides with that day) then he can fast that day."

It was the custom among the companions of Muhammad that if any of them
was fasting and the food was presented (for breaking his fast), but he
slept before eating, he would not eat that night and the following day
till sunset.

Qais bin Sirma-al-Ansari was fasting and came to his wife at the time
of Iftar (breaking one's fast) and asked her whether she had anything
to eat. She replied, "No, but I would go and bring some for you." He
used to do hard work during the day, so he was overwhelmed by sleep
and slept. When his wife came and saw him, she said, "Disappointment
for you." When it was midday on the following day, he fainted and the
Prophet was informed about the whole matter and the following verses
were revealed: "You are permitted To go to your wives (for sexual
relation) At the night of fasting." So, they were overjoyed by it. And
then Allah also revealed: "And eat and drink Until the white thread Of
dawn appears to you Distinct from the black thread (of the night)."
(2.187)

When the above verses were revealed: 'Until the white thread appears
to you, distinct from the black thread,' I took two (hair) strings,
one black and the other white, and kept them under my pillow and went
on looking at them throughout the night but could not make anything
out of it. So, the next morning I went to Allah's Apostle and told him
the whole story. He explained to me, "That verse means the darkness of
the night and the whiteness of the dawn."

When the following verses were revealed: 'Eat and drink until the
white thread appears to you, distinct from the black thread' and of
dawn was not revealed, some people who intended to fast, tied black
and white threads to their legs and went on eating till they
differentiated between the two. Allah then revealed the words, 'of
dawn', and it became clear that meant night and day.

Zaid bin Thabit said, "We took the Suhur with the Prophet . Then he
stood for the prayer." I asked, "What was the interval between the
Suhur and the Adhan?" He replied, "The interval was sufficient to
recite fifty verses of the Quran."

The Prophet fasted for days continuously; the people also did the same
but it was difficult for them. So, the Prophet forbade them (to fast
continuously for more than one day). They slid, "But you fast without
break (no food was taken in the evening or in the morning)." The
Prophet replied, "I am not like you, for I am provided with food and
drink (by Allah)."

Once the Prophet ordered a person on 'Ashura' (the tenth of Muharram)
to announce, "Whoever has eaten, should not eat any more, but fast,
and who has not eaten should not eat, but complete his fast (till the
end of the day).

The Prophet used to kiss and embrace (his wives) while he was fasting,
and he had more power to control his desires than any of you. Said
Jabir, "The person who gets discharge after casting a look (on his
wife) should complete his fast."

(daughter of Um Salama) that her mother said, "While I was (lying)
with Allah's Apostle underneath a woolen sheet, I got the
menstruation, and then slipped away and put on the clothes (which I
used to wear) in menses. He asked, "What is the matter? Did you get
your menses?" I replied in the affirmative and then entered underneath
that woolen sheet. I and Allah's Apostle used to take a bath from one
water pot and he used to kiss me while he was fasting."

My father and I went to 'Aisha and she said, "I testify that Allah's
Apostle at times used to get up in the morning in a state of Janaba
from sexual intercourse, not from a wet dream and then he would fast
that day." Then he went to Um Salama and she also narrated a similar
thing.

The Prophet said, "If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully then he
should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk, has been
given to him by Allah." Narrated 'Amir bin Rabi'a, "I saw the Prophet
cleaning his teeth with Siwak while he was fasting so many times as I
can't count." And narrated Abu Huraira, "The Prophet said, 'But for my
fear that it would be hard for my followers, I would have ordered them
to clean their teeth with Siwak on every performance of ablution." The
same is narrated by Jabir and Zaid bin Khalid from the Prophet who did
not differentiate between a fasting and a nonfasting person in this
respect (using Siwak).

Aisha said, "The Prophet said, "It (i.e. Siwak) is a purification for
the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah's pleasures." Ata' and
Qatada said, "There is no harm in swallowing the resultant saliva."

I saw 'Uthman performing ablution; he washed his hands thrice, rinsed
his mouth and then washed his nose, by putting water in it and then
blowing it out, and washed his face thrice, and then washed his right
forearm up to the elbow thrice, and then the left-forearm up to the
elbow thrice, then smeared his head with water, washed his right foot
thrice, and then his left foot thrice and said, "I saw Allah's Apostle
performing ablution similar to my present ablution, and then he said,
'Whoever performs ablution like my present ablution and then offers
two Rakat in which he does not think of worldly things, all his
previous sins will be forgiven."

A man came to the Prophet and said that he had been burnt (ruined).
The Prophet asked him what was the matter. He replied, "I had sexual
intercourse with my wife in Ramadan (while I was fasting)." Then a
basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet and he asked, "Where
is the burnt (ruined) man?" He replied, "I am present." The Prophet
told him to give that basket in charity (as expiation).

While we were sitting with the Prophet a man came and said, "O Allah's
Apostle! I have been ruined." Allah's Apostle asked what was the
matter with him. He replied "I had sexual intercourse with my wife
while I was fasting." Allah's Apostle asked him, "Can you afford to
manumit a slave?" He replied in the negative. Allah's Apostle asked
him, "Can you fast for two successive months?" He replied in the
negative. The Prophet asked him, "Can you afford to feed sixty poor
persons?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet kept silent and
while we were in that state, a big basket full of dates was brought to
the Prophet . He asked, "Where is the questioner?" He replied, "I (am
here)." The Prophet said (to him), "Take this (basket of dates) and
give it in charity." The man said, "Should I give it to a person
poorer than I? By Allah; there is no family between its (i.e.
Medina's) two mountains who are poorer than I." The Prophet smiled
till his pre-molar teeth became visible and then said, 'Feed your
family with it."

A man came to the Prophet and said, "I had sexual intercourse with my
wife on Ramadan (while fasting)." The Prophet asked him, "Can you
afford to manumit a slave?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet
asked him, "Can you fast for two successive months?" He replied in the
negative. He asked him, "Can you afford to feed sixty poor persons?"
He replied in the negative. (Abu Huraira added): Then a basket full of
dates was brought to the Prophet and he said (to that man), "Feed
(poor people) with this by way of atonement." He said, "(Should I feed
it) to poorer people than we? There is no poorer house than ours
between its (Medina's) mountains." The Prophet said, "Then feed your
family with it."

We were in the company of Allah's Apostle on a journey. He said to a
man, "Get down and mix Sawiq (powdered barley) with water for me." The
man said, "The sun (has not set yet), O Allah's Apostle." The Prophet
again said to him, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for me." The man
again said, "O Allah's Apostle! The sun!" The Prophet said to him (for
the third time) "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for me." The man
dismounted and mixed Sawiq with water for him. The Prophet drank it
and then beckoned with his hand (towards the East) and said, "When you
see the night falling from this side, then a fasting person should
break his fast."

Allah's Apostle set out for Mecca in Ramadan and he fasted, and when
he reached Al-Kadid, he broke his fast and the people (with him) broke
their fast too. (Abu 'Abdullah said, "Al-Kadid is a land covered with
water between Usfan and Qudaid.")

We set out with Allah's Apostle on one of his journeys on a very hot
day, and it was so hot that one had to put his hand over his head
because of the severity of heat. None of us was fasting except the
Prophet and Ibn Rawaha.

Allah's Apostle was on a journey and saw a crowd of people, and a man
was being shaded (by them). He asked, "What is the matter?" They said,
"He (the man) is fasting." The Prophet said, "It is not righteousness
that you fast on a journey."

Ibn 'Abbas said, "Allah's Apostle set out from Medina to Mecca and he
fasted till he reached 'Usfan, where he asked for water and raised his
hand to let the people see him, and then broke the fast, and did not
fast after that till he reached Mecca, and that happened in Ramadan."
Ibn 'Abbas used to say, "Allah's Apostle (sometimes) fasted and
(sometimes) did not fast during the journeys so whoever wished to fast
could fast, and whoever wished not to fast, could do so."

A man came to the Prophet and said, "O Allah's Apostle! My mother died
and she ought to have fasted one month (for her missed Ramadan). Shall
I fast on her behalf?" The Prophet replied in the affirmative and
said, "Allah's debts have more right to be paid." In another narration
a woman is reported to have said, "My sister died..."

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: A woman said to the Prophet "My mother died and
she had vowed to fast but she didn't fast." In another narration Ibn
'Abbas is reported to have said, "A woman said to the Prophet, "My
mother died while she ought to have fasted for fifteen days."

We were in the company of the Prophet on a journey and he was fasting,
and when the sun set, he addressed somebody, "O so-and-so, get up and
mix Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "O Allah's Apostle! (Will
you wait) till it is evening?" The Prophet said, "Get down and mix
Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "O Allah's Apostle! (If you
wait) till it is evening." The Prophet said again, "Get down and mix
Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "It is still daytime."(1) The
Prophet said again, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He got
down and mixed Sawiq for them. The Prophet drank it and then said,
"When you see night falling from this side, the fasting person should
break his fast."

We were traveling with Allah's Apostle and he was fasting, and when
the sun set, he said to (someone), "Get down and mix Sawiq with water
for us." He replied, "O Allah's Apostle! (Will you wait) till it is
evening?" The Prophet again said, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water
for us." He replied, "O Allah's Apostle! It is still daytime." The
Prophet said again, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." So, he
got down and carried out that order. The Prophet then said, "When you
see night falling from this side, the fasting person should break his
fast," and he beckoned with his finger towards the east.

I was with the Prophet on a journey, and he observed the fast till
evening. The Prophet said to a man, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water
for me." He replied, "Will you wait till it is evening?" The Prophet
said, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for me; when you see night
falling from this side, the fasting person should break his fast."

Asma bint Abi Bakr said, "We broke our fast during the lifetime of the
Prophet on a cloudy day and then the sun appeared." Hisham was asked,
"Were they ordered to fast in lieu of that day?" He replied, "It had
to be made up for." Ma'mar said, "I heard Hisham saying, "I don't know
whether they fasted in lieu of that day or not."

"The Prophet sent a messenger to the village of the Ansar in the
morning of the day of 'Ashura' (10th of Muharram) to announce:
'Whoever has eaten something should not eat but complete the fast, and
whoever is observing the fast should complete it.' "She further said,
"Since then we used to fast on that day regularly and also make our
boys fast. We used to make toys of wool for the boys and if anyone of
them cried for, he was given those toys till it was the time of the
breaking of the fast."

The Prophet said, "Do not practice Al-Wisal (fasting continuously
without breaking one's fast in the evening or eating before the
following dawn)." The people said to the Prophet, "But you practice
Al-Wisal?" The Prophet replied, "I am not like any of you, for I am
given food and drink (by Allah) during the night."

That he had heard the Prophet saying, "Do not fast continuously
(practise Al-Wisal), and if you intend to lengthen your fast, then
carry it on only till the Suhur (before the following dawn)." The
people said to him, "But you practice (Al-Wisal), O Allah's Apostle!"
He replied, "I am not similar to you, for during my sleep I have One
Who makes me eat and drink."

Allah's Apostle forbade Al-Wisal in fasting. So, one of the Muslims
said to him, "But you practice Al-Wisal. O Allah's Apostle!" The
Prophet replied, "Who amongst you is similar to me? I am given food
and drink during my sleep by my Lord." So, when the people refused to
stop Al-Wisal (fasting continuously), the Prophet fasted day and night
continuously along with them for a day and then another day and then
they saw the crescent moon (of the month of Shawwal). The Prophet said
to them (angrily), "If It (the crescent) had not appeared, I would
have made you fast for a longer period." That was as a punishment for
them when they refused to stop (practising Al-Wisal).

The Prophet said twice, "(O you people) Be cautious! Do not practice
Al-Wisal." The people said to him, "But you practice Al-Wisal?" The
Prophet replied, "My Lord gives me food and drink during my sleep. Do
that much of deeds which is within your ability."

Allah's Apostle said, "Do not fast continuously day and night
(practise Al-Wisal) and if anyone of you intends to fast continuously
day and night, he should continue till the Suhur time." They said,
"But you practise Al-Wisal, O Allah's Apostle!" The Prophet said, "I
am not similar to you;. during my sleep I have One Who makes me eat
and drink."

The Prophet made a bond of brotherhood between Salman and Abu
Ad-Darda.' Salman paid a visit to Abu Ad-Darda' and found Um Ad-Darda'
dressed in shabby clothes and asked her why she was in that state. She
replied, "Your brother Abu Ad-Darda' is not interested in (the
luxuries of) this world." In the meantime Abu Ad-Darda' came and
prepared a meal for Salman. Salman requested Abu Ad-Darda' to eat
(with him), but Abu Ad-Darda' said, "I am fasting." Salman said, "I am
not going to eat unless you eat." So, Abu Ad-Darda' ate(with Salman).
When it was night and (a part of the night passed), Abu Ad-Darda' got
up (to offer the night prayer), but Salman told him to sleep and Abu
Ad-Darda' slept. After sometime Abu Ad-Darda' again got up but Salman
told him to sleep. When it was the last hours of the night, Salman
told him to get up then, and both of them offered the prayer. Salman
told Abu Ad-Darda', "Your Lord has a right on you, your soul has a
right on you, and your family has a right on you; so you should give
the rights of all those who has a right on you." Abu Ad-Darda' came to
the Prophet and narrated the whole story. The Prophet said, "Salman
has spoken the truth."

Allah's Apostle used to fast till one would say that he would never
stop fasting, and he would abandon fasting till one would say that he
would never fast. I never saw Allah's Apostle fasting for a whole
month except the month of Ramadan, and did not see him fasting in any
month more than in the month of Sha'ban.

The Prophet never fasted in any month more than in the month of
Sha'ban. He used to say, "Do those deeds which you can do easily, as
Allah will not get tired (of giving rewards) till you get bored and
tired (of performing religious deeds)." The most beloved prayer to the
Prophet was the one that was done regularly (throughout the life) even
if it were little. And whenever the Prophet offered a prayer he used
to offer it regularly .

The Prophet never fasted a full month except the month of Ramadan, and
he used to fast till one could say, "By Allah, he will never stop
fasting," and he would abandon fasting till one would say, "By Allah,
he will never fast."

Allah's Apostle used to leave fasting in a certain month till we
thought that he would not fast in that month, and he used to fast in
another month till we thought he would not stop fasting at all in that
month. And if one wanted to see him praying at night, one could see
him (in that condition), and if one wanted to see him sleeping at
night, one could see him (in that condition) too.

I asked Anas about the fasting of the Prophet. He said "Whenever I
liked to see the Prophet fasting in any month, I could see that, and
whenever I liked to see him not fasting, I could see that too, and if
I liked to see him praying in any night, I could see that, and if I
liked to see him sleeping, I could see that, too." Anas further said,
"I never touched silk or velvet softer than the hand of Allah's
Apostle and never smelled musk or perfumed smoke more pleasant than
the smell of Allah's Apostle."

"Once Allah's Apostle came to me," and then he narrated the whole
narration, i.e. your guest has a right on you, and your wife has a
right on you. I then asked about the fasting of David. The Prophet
replied, "Half of the year," (i.e. he used to fast on every alternate
day).

Allah's Apostle said to me, "O 'Abdullah! Have I not been informed
that you fast during the day and offer prayers all the night."
'Abdullah replied, "Yes, O Allah's Apostle!" The Prophet said, "Don't
do that; fast for few days and then give it up for few days, offer
prayers and also sleep at night, as your body has a right on you, and
your wife has a right on you, and your guest has a right on you. And
it is sufficient for you to fast three days in a month, as the reward
of a good deed is multiplied ten times, so it will be like fasting
throughout the year." I insisted (on fasting) and so I was given a
hard instruction. I said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have power." The
Prophet said, "Fast like the fasting of the Prophet David and do not
fast more than that." I said, "How was the fasting of the Prophet of
Allah, David?" He said, "Half of the year," (i.e. he used to fast on
every alternate day).

Afterwards when 'Abdullah became old, he used to say, "It would have
been better for me if I had accepted the permission of the Prophet
(which he gave me i.e. to fast only three days a month)."

Allah's Apostle was informed that I had taken an oath to fast daily
and to pray (every night) all the night throughout my life (so Allah's
Apostle came to me and asked whether it was correct): I replied, "Let
my parents be sacrificed for you! I said so." The Prophet said, "You
can not do that. So, fast for few days and give it up for few days, r
ray and sleep. Fast three days a month as the reward of good deeds is
multiplied ten times and that will be equal to one year of fasting." I
replied, "I can do better than that." The Prophet said to me, "Fast
one day and give up fasting for a day and that is the fasting of
Prophet David and that is the best fasting." I said, "I have the power
to fast better (more) than that." The Prophet said, "There is no
better fasting than that."

The news of my daily fasting and praying every night throughout the
night reached the Prophet. So he sent for me or I met him, and he
said, "I have been informed that you fast everyday and pray every
night (all the night). Fast (for some days) and give up fasting (for
some days); pray and sleep, for your eyes have a right on you, and
your body and your family (i.e. wife) have a right on you." I replied,
"I have more power than that (fasting)." The Prophet said, "Then fast
like the fasts of (the Prophet) David". I said, "How?" He replied, "He
used to fast on alternate days, and he used not to flee on meeting the
enemy." I said, "From where can I get that chance?" ('Ata' said, "I do
not know how the expression of fasting daily throughout the life
occurred.") So, the Prophet said, twice, "Whoever fasts daily
throughout his life is just as the one who does not fast at all."

The Prophet said (to 'Abdullah), "Fast three days a month." 'Abdullah
said, (to the Prophet) "I am able to fast more than that." They kept
on arguing on this matter till the Prophet said, "Fast on alternate
days, and recite the whole Qur'an once a month." 'Abdullah said, "I
can recite more (in a month)," and the argument went on till the
Prophet said, "Recite the Qur'an once each three days." (i.e. you must
not recite the whole Qur'an in less than three days).

The Prophet said to me, "You fast daily all the year and pray every
night all the night?" I replied in the affirmative. The Prophet said,
"If you keep on doing this, your eyes will become weak and your body
will get tired. He who fasts all the year is as he who did not fast at
all. The fasting of three days (a month) will be equal to the tasting
of the whole year." I replied, "I have the power for more than this."
The Prophet said, "Then fast like the fasting of David who used to
fast on alternate days and would never flee from the battle field, on
meeting the enemy.

Allah's Apostle was informed about my fasts, and he came to me and I
spread for him a leather cushion stuffed with palm fires, but he sat
on the ground and the cushion remained between me and him, and then he
said, "Isn't it sufficient for you to fast three days a month?" I
replied, "O Allah's Apostle! (I can fast more)." He said, "Five?" I
replied, "O Allah's Apostle! (I can fast more)." He said, "Seven?" I
replied, "O Allah's Apostle! (I can fast more)." He said, "Nine (days
per month)?" I replied, "O Allah's Apostle! (I can fast more)" He
said, "Eleven (days per month)?" And then the Prophet said, "There is
no fast superior to that of the Prophet David it was for half of the
year. So, fast on alternate days."

The Prophet paid a visit to Um-Sulaim and she placed before him dates
and ghee. The Prophet said, "Replace the ghee and dates in their
respective containers for I am fasting." Then he stood somewhere in
her house and offered an optional prayer and then he invoked good on
Um-Sulaim and her family. Then Um-Sulaim said, "O Allah's Apostle! I
have a special request (today)." He said, "What is it?" She replied,
"(Please invoke for) your servant Anas." So Allah's Apostle did not
leave anything good in the world or the Hereafter which he did not
invoke (Allah to bestow) on me and said, "O Allah! Give him (i.e.
Anas) property and children and bless him." Thus I am one of the
richest among the Ansar and my daughter Umaina told me that when
A-Hajjaj came to Basra, more than 120 of my offspring had been
buried.

That the Prophet asked him (Imran) or asked a man and Imran was
listening, "O Abu so-and-so! Have you fasted the last days of this
month?" (The narrator thought that he said, "the month of Ramadan").
The man replied, "No, O Allah's Apostle!" The Prophet said to him,
"When you finish your fasting (of Ramadan) fast two days (in
Shawwal)." Through another series of narrators 'Imran said, "The
Prophet said, '(Have you fasted) the last days of Sha'ban?"

The Prophet visited her (Juwairiya) on a Friday and she was fasting.
He asked her, "Did you fast yesterday?" She said, "No." He said, "Do
you intend to fast tomorrow?" She said, "No." He said, "Then break
your fast." Through another series of narrators, Abu Aiyub is reported
to have said, "He ordered her and she broke her fast."

I asked 'Aisha "Did Allah s Apostle, use to choose some special days
(for fasting)?" She replied, "No, but he used to be regular (constant)
(in his service of worshipping). Who amongst you can endure what
Allah's Apostle used to endure?"

"While the people were with me on the day of 'Arafat they differed as
to whether the Prophet was fasting or not; some said that he was
fasting while others said that he was not fasting. So, I sent to him a
bowl full of milk while he was riding over his camel and he drank
it."

(the slave of Ibn Azhar) I witnessed the 'Id with 'Umar bin Al-Kattab
who said, Allah's Apostle has forbidden people to fast on the day on
which you break fasting (the fasts of Ramadan) and the day on which
you eat the meat of your sacrifices (the first day of 'Id ul Fitr and
'Id ul-Adha).

The Prophet forbade the fasting of 'Id-ul-Fitr and 'Id-ul-Adha (two
feast days) and also the wearing of As-Samma' (a single garment
covering the whole body), and sitting with one's leg drawn up while
being wrapped in one garment. He also forbade the prayers after the
Fajr (morning) and the 'Asr (afternoon) prayers.

Two fasts and two kinds of sale are forbidden: fasting on the day of
'Id ul Fitr and 'Id-ul-Adha and the kinds of sale called Mulamasa and
Munabadha. (These two kinds of sale used to be practiced in the days
of Pre-lslamic period of ignorance; Mulamasa means when you touch
something displayed for sale you have to buy it; Munabadha means when
the seller throws something to you, you have to buy it.)

A man went to Ibn 'Umar I. and said, "A man vowed to fast one day (the
sub-narrator thinks that he said that the day was Monday), and that
day happened to be 'Id day." Ibn 'Umar said, "Allah orders vows to be
fulfilled and the Prophet forbade the fasting on this day (i.e. Id)."

Fasting for those who perform ,Hajj-at-Tamattu' (in lieu of the Hadi
which they cannot afford) may be performed up to the day of 'Arafat.
And if one does not get a Hadi and has not fasted (before the 'Id)
then one should fast of the days of Mina. (11, 12 and 13th of Dhul
Hajja).

Quraish used to fast on the day of 'Ashura' in the Pre-lslamic period,
and Allah's Apostle too, used to fast on that day. When he came to
Medina, he fasted on that day and ordered others to fast, too. Later
when the fasting of the month of Ramadan was prescribed, he gave up
fasting on the day of 'Ashura' and it became optional for one to fast
on it or not.

That he heard Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan on the day of 'Ashura' during the
year he performed the Hajj, saying on the pulpit, "O the people of
Medina! Where are your Religious Scholars? I heard Allah's Apostle
saying, 'This is the day of 'Ashura'. Allah has not enjoined its
fasting on you but I am fasting it. You have the choice either to fast
or not to fast (on this day).' "

The Prophet came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of
Ashura. He asked them about that. They replied, "This is a good day,
the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from their enemy. So, Moses
fasted this day." The Prophet said, "We have more claim over Moses
than you." So, the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered (the
Muslims) to fast (on that day).

The Prophet ordered a man from the tribe of Bani Aslam to announce
amongst the people that whoever had eaten should fast the rest of the
day, and whoever had not eaten should continue his fast, as that day
was the day of 'Ashura' .